Atlanta music executive Jerry Clark Sr. is a proud father. His namesake, Jerry Clark Jr., who is known to most as J.C., is a student-athlete and former high school baseball star who recently arrived at Alabama State University to begin his freshman year on a baseball scholarship.
Rolling out asked the elder Clark how he felt about his son going off to college and being nearly 200 miles from home in the midst of a global health crisis.
What three things did you emphasize to your son about his behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I emphasized being smart, safe, wear your mask, but don’t live scared. Live life and stay COVID-free.
What thoughts ran through your mind as you left your child at ASU?
It was truly bittersweet. I was proud as a father to watch my son leave the nest, but I was truly sad as well. … I spend so much time with him it hurt to know that time would be decreasing a lot.
How often have you communicated with your son since he’s been at college?
I try to give him space and not smother him … let him grow. I’ll FaceTime him every couple [of] days.
What precautions did the school share with you?
Alabama State is doing a wonderful job of keeping their students safe. The baseball coaches expressed to me the safety precautions for their student-athletes, and that puts me at ease.
How would you say COVID-19 has affected your son’s freshman year of college while on a baseball scholarship?
Well, we don’t know yet. … Since baseball is a spring sport, they should have a season. Hopefully.
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